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11 The discipline of the Lord, my son, do not spurn;(A)
    do not disdain his reproof;
12 [a]For whom the Lord loves he reproves,
    as a father, the son he favors.(B)

The Benefits of Finding Wisdom[b]

13 Happy the one who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding!(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:12 One might be tempted to judge the quality of one’s relationship to God by one’s prosperity. It is an inadequate criterion, for God as a teacher might go counter to student expectations. The discipline of God can involve suffering.
  2. 3:13–20 An encomium of Wisdom through the listing of her benefits to the human race and the depiction of her role in creation. Wisdom, or understanding, is more valuable than silver and gold. Its fruit is long life, riches, honor and happiness (vv. 13–18). Even the creation of the universe and its adornment (Gn 1) were not done without wisdom (vv. 19–20). The praise of Wisdom foreshadows the praise of a noble wife in the final poem (31:10–31), even to the singling out of the hands extended in a helpful way toward human beings.